New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947
Bernard J. Rayeski
NEWMARKET - Bernard J. Rayeski, 67, of Grant Road, succumbed peacefully on Dec. 12, 2002, to the suspected effects of Agent Orange he was exposed to during the Vietnam War.
At the time of his passing, he was in his favorite chair, surrounded by his beloved wife, children, their spouses and grandchildren. His faithful canine companion, Brandon, remained by his side to the end.
He was born April 28, 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of Stanley and Mary (Wyberski) Rayeski.
An avid reader, he was constantly seeking new challenges. He enjoyed woodworking, deep-sea fishing, hunting, farming and being with his family.
His family was the core of his being and he was extremely proud of his Polish heritage.
After 21 years of service with the United States Navy, he retired in 1972 with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He was highly decorated and served in the Korean Conflict, and was an extremely proud River Rat in the Vietnam War and was a Hard Helmet Diver. His duty assignments included service on aircraft carriers, destroyers and PBR’s.
He was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, Disabled Veterans, Fleet Reserve and the NRA. He was past master of Rosicrucian Order, AMROC.
He is survived by his best friend and soul mate of 30 years, Beverly (Norton) Rayeski; his five children, Deborah Place and husband Joe of Newmarket, Cheryl Cinfo of Va., Heidi Rayeski of Newmarket, Keith Rayeski and wife Bonnie of Newmarket, and Rebecca Gatcomb and husband of Newmarket; his grandchildren, Michelle Tardiff, Michael Loranger, Angela Cinfo, Jonathan, Felicia and Callie Rayeski, Chad Stefanowicz, and James Gatcomb.
Private services will be held in the spring in Riverside Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the NH Lung Association, 9 Cedarwood Dr., Unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110.
The Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Street, Newmarket, is assisting with arrangements.
Otis W. Shepherd
PEABODY, Mass. - Mr. Otis W. Shepherd, 74, of Felton Street, Peabody, Mass., a Peabody businessman, husband of Sylvia (Wilkins) Shepherd, died Thursday morning, Dec. 12, 2002, in the Beverly Hospital.
Born in Peabody on Dec. 28, 1927, he was the son of the late Charles W. and Hazel (Watkins) Shepherd. He received his education in Peabody and attended Peabody High School.
An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Shepherd was the proprietor of SOS Trucking at the time of his retirement. Prior to that he was employed by D. V. Die Cutting in Danvers and was also a long-distance truck driver.
Otis was an accomplished square dancer and was past president and member of the Riverside Squares in Danvers and a member and past president of the NSARDA News.
In addition to his wife, with whom he shared thirty-two years, Otis is survived by one son, Donald Warren Shepherd and his wife Cathy of Rochester, N.H.; one stepson, Stephen Hultgren of Salem; one stepdaughter, Sandra Hultgren of Danvers; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Charles Shepherd and his wife Rosella of Benson, Ariz., and one sister, Eva Turner and her husband Melvin of Danvers.
Funeral services will be held in the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St. (Route 62), Danvers, Mass., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at noon. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, Mass.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (978) 774-6600.
Expressions of sympathy maybe made in Otis’ name to the American Cancer Society, 12 Kent Way, Suite 209, Byfield, Mass., 01922.
Marion Avery
EXETER - Marion Baker Avery, 85, of Camelot Drive, a former longtime resident of East Kingston, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Colonial Poplin Nursing Home in Fremont.
She was born Sept. 6, 1917, in East Kingston, the daughter of the late Frederick G. and Helen May (Cilley) Baker Jr.
Marion resided in Exeter for the past 10 years and lived on Depot Road in East Kingston for many years.
She retired as deputy clerk after working at Rockingham County Superior Court for 23 years.
Marion was a former member of East Kingston Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star Esther Corinthian Lodge of East Kingston, the Rebeccas and the East Kingston Grange.
She was predeceased by a great-grandson, Philip G. Avery Jr.
She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Mrs. Herb (Ann) Clark of West Nottingham; a son and his wife, Philip (Chlora) Avery of Almont, Mich.; five grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, George Baker of East Kingston; a sister, Ruth Palmer of East Kingston; two nieces; a nephew; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
There are no calling hours.
Graveside services will be held in the spring at Plains Cemetery in Kingston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Rockingham VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Road Exeter, NH 03833.
Brewitt Funeral Home, 14 Pine St., Exeter, is handling the arrangements.
Jeanne Belanger
DOVER - Jeanne Belanger, 78, of 16 Strafford Road, the wife of Louis Belanger, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at her home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave.
Agapit H. Jean Sr.
EPPING - Agapit H. Jean Sr., 84, of Acre Street, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Exeter Hospital.
He was born in Epping on Aug. 17, 1918. He was one of 14 children of Alfred B. and Josephine (Lavoie) Jean.
Mr. Jean was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, and was proud of his service to God and country.
He was a member of Richard A. Mitchell American Legion Post 51 of Epping.
He worked for many years at Rockingham Shoe Co. in Newmarket.
A lifelong communicant of St. Joseph’s Church, he served the parish as an usher for many years. Like his father and brothers, he worked many years as caretaker of the Cemetery, where he dedicated the flagpole in memory of all who served to protect our God-given freedom.
He was also a charter member and past grand knight of knights of Columbus Council 6850 and a charter member of the Bishop Leo E. O’Neil Assembly of the 4th degree.
He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Doris L. (Beaulieu) Jean, who died in June 1998; a son, Capt. John Jean; a daughter, Elaine Conery; two granddaughters, Casandra Bragg and Dana Bothwell; brothers John, Antonio, Joseph, Albert and Alphonse; and sisters, Lucy Dionne and Antoinette Pare.
He is survived by seven daughters, Yvonne Poliquin of Epping, Elizabeth McCusker of Plaistow, Yvette Jean of Gig Harbor, Wash., Marlene Myers of Dover, Darlene Smith of LaCrosse, Va., Donna MacDonald of Dover and Theresa Devine of Raymond; four sons, the Rev. Agapit H. Jean Jr. of Portsmouth and Michael Jean, Robert Jean and Edward Jean, all of Epping; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerome Jean of Epping and Thomas Jean of Rochester; four sisters, Clara Morrisette of Exeter, Mary Faucher of Raymond, Cecile Raiche of Epping and Gemma Jean-King of Epping; nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be on Sunday at Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by his son, the Rev. Aggie Jean, pastor at St. Joseph’s Church, 204 Pleasant St., Epping, at 11 a.m. on Monday. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Epping.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, P.O. Box 337, Epping, NH 03042.
George Shapiro
ROCHESTER - George Albert Shapiro, 79, of 153 Eagle Drive, Tara Estates, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Rochester Manor following a period of declining health.
He was born in New Bedford, Mass, on March 2, 1923, the son of Lewis and Yvonne (Roux) Shapiro. He had been a resident of Rochester for the past year, having lived for more than 20 years in Port Charlotte, Fla., and many years in Massachusetts.
Mr. Shapiro was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea. He worked in maintenance and as a plumber at Fort Devens in Ayer, Mass., for more than 35 years, retiring in 1978. He was a former member of American Legion Post 247 in Tyngsboro, Mass., and a member of the York Senior Center in York, Maine, where he enjoyed playing cribbage. He enjoyed being home, working outdoors and gardening.
Surviving family members include his beloved wife of more than 57 years, Pauline Bibeault Shapiro of Rochester; a son, George R. Shapiro, and his wife, Donna, of Lowell, Mass.; three brothers, Arthur and Alfred Shapiro, both of Florida, and John Shapiro of Andover, Mass.; three grandchildren, Christina Porter of Litchfield, Elizabeth Shapiro of Pelham and Timothy Shapiro of Lowell, Mass., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held later this spring at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lowell, Mass. Arrangements are by H.J. Grondin &. Son Funeral & Cremation Services, 177 N. Main Street, Rochester.
Frederick Usner
MANCHESTER - Frederick Walsdorf Usner, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.
He was born on Sept. 26, 1910 in New Orleans to Lorena Walsdorf and Frederick Joseph Usner. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Audrey Ratigan Usner of Durham. Mr. Usner is also survived by his daughter, Sandra Usner Thorne, and son-in-law, Stephen Thorne, of Durham. He will be mourned by his granddaughters, Jayne Phillips of New Orleans and Julie Phillips of Dover, and Julie’s husband, John Thompson. Mr. Usner enjoyed playing checkers and bingo with his great-grandson and namesake, Justin Frederick Thompson. He was proud to hold his newest great-grandson, Julian Evan Thompson, who was born five days before his 92nd birthday. Mr. Usner was a retired pharmacist and manager for Walgreen’s, and a longtime resident of the Lakeview area of New Orleans.
Interment will take place at a later date at Lakelawn Mausoleum in New Orleans. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of arrangements.
William Aubertine
PORTSMOUTH - William F. "Butch" Aubertine, 56, of 11 Palm Drive passed away suddenly Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
He was born in Portsmouth, Nov. 10, 1946, the son of Thomas C. and Priscilla (Hodgdon) Aubertine.
He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School with the Class of 1967.
He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was employed at the former H.P. Hood Company and the Lago Company. He also was worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
He was a member of St. James Church and VFW Post #168 in Portsmouth.
In addition to his mother and father of Portsmouth, he is survived by his wife of 30 years Paula (Pepin) Aubertine; a daughter, Ami P. Aubertine; two sons, William F. Aubertine Jr and Thomas R. Aubertine, all of Greenland; two brothers, Thomas C. Aubertine of Ketchikan, Alaska, and Charles E. Aubertine and his wife Lillian of Boscawen; a sister, Dorothy M. Aubertine of Portsmouth and his faithful dog, Cody.
He was predeceased by a sister Sarahnell Aubertine.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. James Church Monday at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours at the Farrell Funeral Home 684 State St Portsmouth on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association of NH, 249 Canal St, Manchester, NH 03101.
George Diamond
ROLLINSFORD - George S. Diamond, 82, of 64 Moses Carr Road, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the Riverside Rest Home in Dover.
He was born in Somersworth on July 11, 1920, the son of Steven and Vasiliki (Faskanis) Diamond and has lived in this area for most of his lifetime.
He was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II, having been a sergeant with the 895th Ordnance Company and was a member of the American Legion. He was a member of the Strafford Lodge of Masons and the Scottish Rite.
He owned and operated the University BarberShop in Durham for 54 years.
He enjoyed hunting with his pointers. George was an extraordinary gardener, who amazed everyone with the first and largest tomatoes. He was a member of the Greek band, "Tsoliades."
A member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Dover he was also a member of the AHEPA and a past District Governor.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Artemis (Papantones) Diamond of Rollinsford; a son, Steven G. Diamond of Dover; a daughter, Cathy L. Vatistas of Rollinsford; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Joanna Vatistas; a sister, Betty Freeman of Dover and nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a brother Menelaus Diamond.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. Officers and members of Strafford Lodge A&FM will conduct a service 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust St., Dover with Rev. Constantine Newman, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover.
Memorials in his name may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 93 Locust Street, Dover, NH 03820.
Arthur Gale
CLEMMONS, N.C. - Arthur E. Gale, 74, of Clemmons passed away Friday, April 11, 2003, at Baptist Hospital.
He was born on Jan. 10, 1929, in Sanford, Maine, a son of Fred and Gertrude Gale.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the Masons and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife, Marcella Gautier-Gale; son John, and his wife, Lisa Gale, of Portland, Maine; daughters Joanne and her husband, James Ferry, of Arlington, Texas, and Diane and her husband, Michael McCallum, of Bermuda; son Roger and his wife, Clarinda Gale, of Virginia Beach, Va.; and daughters: Mary Beth and her husband, Michael Youngs, of Chicago, Ill., Kathy and her husband, James Crawford, of Lexington, and Kellie and her husband, Wallace Gastley, of Clemmons; three brothers: Chester and his wife, Priscilla Gale, of Sussex, N.J., Daniel Gale of York, Maine, and David and his wife, Ruth Gale, of Newbury, Vt.; a sister, Martha Gale Webber, of Karatha, Ontario, Canada; and 11 grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorial Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Davidson County, 524 S. State St., Lexington, NC 27292.
Patricia Jillette
ROCHESTER - Patricia H. Jillette, 69, of 5 Monadnock Drive, formerly a longtime resident of Dover, died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at Tasker Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert S. Ervin, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, officiating.
Burial will be at a later date in Pine Hill Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Developmental Services of Strafford County Inc., 113 Crosby Road, Forum Court, Suite 1, Dover, NH 03820.
R. Barbara Moore
PORTSMOUTH - Mrs. R. Barbara (Rose) Moore, 80, of 132 Raleigh Way, died peacefully at the home of her daughter, Patricia, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, April 11, 2003.
She was born in Portsmouth on June 5, 1922, the daughter of William T. and Laura (Randall) Rose.
She had attended Portsmouth High School.
She was employed as a secretary at the Portsmouth Junior High School from 1960 until her retirement in 1997.
Mrs. Moore was a Communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth.
Survivors include four children; Constance Bushman and her husband Robert, Patricia Csernelabics, Timothy Moore and his wife Pat Lacey all of Portsmouth and Jane Moore of Newington; six grandchildren, Cheryl Bushman, Michele Vail, Matthew Bushman all of Portsmouth, Timothy Moore, Jr. and his wife Serina of Andover, N.H., William Moore of Fla., and Laura Moore of Dover, N.H.; seven great-grandchildren, Brittany Bushman, Ryan Bushman, Joshua Bushman, Isaiah Bushman, Cassandra Bushman, and Olivia Vail all of Portsmouth, and Katlynn Moore of Somersworth, N.H.; and many dear and devoted friends. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; two sisters, Mary Brewster and Marvis Rose; a brother, William Rose; great-grandson, Brandon Rogers and a beloved son-in-law, Nick Csernelabics.
A funeral service will be held at St.John’s Episcopal Church, 105 Chapel St, Portsmouth, Monday 11 a.m. Friends invited. Burial will be at the Harmony Grove Cemetery at 1 p.m.
At the request of the deceased there will be no visiting hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Brett Squires Scholarship Fund, c/o Portsmouth Middle School, Portsmouth, NH 03801. Arrangements by J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel.
